It is easy to lead the life of a human being but it is difficult to lead the life of a true Sikh. A true Sikh is humble, simple, unselfish and is ever ready to serve others. He is not greedy, full of sacrificial spirit, always holding on to the truth and leads a modest life. He is without ego and follows the principles of the Ten Gurus and the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
The presence of such individuals in the society is an example. Their deeds motivate others to follow the road less travelled.
Sardar Gurmail Singh worked as a Compunder in the Veterinary Hospital in village Patara. He was a poor man. His only source of income was the salary he received from his service. This was quite meagre and he was able to make both ends meet with great difficulty. He lived in village Patara in a rented accomodation.
One day both he and his wife had some work at Rama Mandi and started from their home on a bicycle. On the way when they were a little distance from the Kutiya of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj, the wife said to her husband, “How nice it would be if we pay our homage to the Holy saint.”
Gurmail Singh replied, “What are you talking. We are too poor to even go near the Kutiya and you are thinking of going inside. Rich men visit such Deras. We will not be welcome inside.”
The wife however insisted and Gurmail Singh had to agree to her repeated requests. He stopped the cycle when they reached the entrance gate. Both alighted from the cycle and went inside. They saw Sant Baba ji from a distance. Gurmail Singh paid his homage from a distance and sat on the ground there only.
Sant Baba ji was in a black underwear and a GATRA Kirpan was hanging from his shoulder. He was not wearing any other clothes on his body.
Gurmail Singh’s wife had more confidence and she bowed in front of Sant Baba ji from a close distance. She had full respect for Sant Baba ji. She wanted to have unrestricted DARSHAN of the great saint. Gurmail Singh was however afraid and felt that his wife would be admonished for showing boldness.
Sant Baba ji never allowed any lady to come close. One attendant on seeing the lady coming near to where Sant Baba ji was sitting, got up from his seat to stop her and thought of advising the lady to sit at a distance. Sant Baba ji understood his intentions and signalled him not to disturb the lady.
After some time Sant Baba ji asked, “Gurmukho! From where have you come?”
Gurmail received a jolt on hearing these pleasant words and came a little closer. He replied, “Baba ji! We are coming from Patara.”
Sant Baba ji asked him, “Do you live in Patara?”
Gurmail Singh replied, “Yes! I am a compounder in the Veterinary Hospital in Patara.”
Sant Baba ji smiled and said, “So you are a Junior Doctor. You are a Doctor, Doctor Sahib.”
Gurmail Singh kept quiet. Sant Baba ji further said, “We people are alms eaters. It is nice of you to have come. Thanks for your DARSHAN.”
Sant Baba ji did not say anything further. Both of them kept on looking at the Holy face of Sant Baba ji and enjoyed every moment there. Sant Baba ji asked the attendant to give them Parshad and thereafter leave was taken of them.
Both came out of the Kutiya and were feeling totally mesmerized. They started for Rama Mandi. Gurmail Singh said, “I am very astonished. No one has ever called me a Doctor. I am ashamed of talking against the Holy saint. He was such a simple sadhu.” Both had tears in their eyes.
Gurmail Singh and his wife started coming to the Kutiya without any hesitation. Whatever they could afford, they brought as offering. Their love and respect for Sant Baba ji increased with every visit.
You are the True Support of me, the poor mortal, O my Perfect True Guru. Gazing upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan, my mind is encouraged.
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They received the choicest of the blessings of Sant Baba ji when they received the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword. It was really a great moment in their life. They recited Gurbani and enjoyed it too. They had no greed and lived in a humble manner. They thanked the Almighty for the Grace He had showered on them by baptizing them through Sant Baba ji. Gurmail considered and knew that there were hundreds of persons like him who were unable to receive such kindness.
The love increased and so did the SEWA. Gurmail Singh requested Sant Baba ji and now looked after the animals in the corral. He served in the Kutiya and also served the horses, cows, bullocks and dogs in the corral with medicine and veterinary treatment.
One day the kind Sant Baba ji asked Gurmail Singh, “Doctor Sahib! Where have you built your house? Is it at Patara?”
Gurmail Singh replied, “Maharaj! I live in a rented house in Patara. I can’t afford a house of my own.”
Sant Baba ji did not discuss further. He came home and mentioned about the discussion with his wife. Both were unable to understand the question of Sant Baba ji.
Time passed and the discussion was completely forgotten. The owner of the house of Gurmail Singh lived abroad in England. He came to India. Before starting from England the owner had made up his mind for getting his house vacated.
Once in India, he talked to Gurmail Singh who said that he would vacate once he was able to find another house. Gurmail was unable to find a suitable house even after sufficient time had passed. The owner could not wait for long and gave him 24 hours notice to vacate the house.
Gurmail Singh said, “I will vacate your house by 9am tomorrow morning. I will take out my household goods before 9am even if the goods have to be kept in the open street.”
The owner after receiving the promise left the place. He however, could not sleep for the whole night. He kept on thinking about the past. Gurmail Singh had never missed a single month’s rent. He had managed to look after the house very well. He should be permitted to carry on as a tenant. After some time he was shaken by a sudden thought, “Gurmail will vacate the house even if he does not find another accomodation. He will be out on the street. This is not fair. I should reach there early in the morning and stop him from doing so.”
Both husband and wife were collecting and tying their household goods. Both were at peace and happily performing their work when the landlord reached. They were astonished to see the landlord so early. The landlord said, “Gurmail Singh! I have decided to sell the house. You purchase this house.”
Gurmail Singh replied, “Why are you teasing us? I am hardly able to manage the rent and you want me to purchase the house.”
The landlord asked, “You must have saved something?”
“We manage with difficulty with our meagre salary.”
“All right! How much can you pay me?”
Gurmail got irritated and hurriedly put his hand in his pocket. He brought out a five rupee note and jokingly said, “I can pay you five rupees.”
The owner said, “It is alright. I accept this amount.”
Gurmail Singh stared at his wife and both were standing stunned at these words of the owner. They thought that this person must be mad.
The owner said, “From today the house is yours. I have sold the house in five rupees to you. I will pay for the registration charges. You live here peacefully.”
The owner left while the two of them were standing as statues not knowing how to believe what had recently happened. Both started crying. They thought, “This is the blessing of love for the Guru Sahib and Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru does not let a person think about the Grace of the Almighty. Sant Baba ji alone recognised the order of the Almighty and the honor of a dishonored person like Gurmail Singh was kept intact. The Fourth Guru Sri Guru Ramdass Sahib says:
In deep humility, I fall at the Feet of the Perfect True Guru. The Guru is the Honor of the dishonored. The Guru, the True Guru,brings approval and applause. (Page 41)